Haemorrhoids and Skin Tags After Pregnancy

Yee Yeoman
May 19
2 min read

Pregnancy, labour, and delivery bring many changes to your body — some expected, and some not so much. One common but often unspoken issue many women experience during or after pregnancy is haemorrhoids and the skin tags that can remain after they've resolved.

What Are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). Pregnancy increases your risk of developing them due to several factors:

Increased pressure from the growing uterus and baby
Constipation, which is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and iron supplements
Pushing during labour, particularly with prolonged or forceful second stages

Haemorrhoids can cause pain, itching, discomfort, or bleeding during bowel movements.

And What About Skin Tags?

After haemorrhoids shrink or resolve, especially external ones, the stretched skin doesn’t always return to its original state. This can leave behind small, soft skin tags around the anus. While they’re harmless, they can cause self-consciousness, hygiene concerns, or discomfort with wiping or intercourse.

What Can Help?

1. Preventing or Managing Constipation

This is key during pregnancy and after birth.

Stay well hydrated
Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods (vegetables, fruit, wholegrains)
Consider a gentle fibre supplement like psyllium husk
Don’t ignore the urge to go — and give yourself time

2. Supporting Your Pelvic Floor

Excess straining with bowel movements or poor pressure management can worsen haemorrhoids and pelvic heaviness.

Physiotherapists trained in pelvic health can teach you how to “breathe” to protect your pelvic floor and reduce straining.
We can also assess if there’s underlying pelvic floor tension contributing to constipation or difficulty fully emptying the bowels.

3. Improving Toilet Positioning

Using a small stool to elevate your feet while sitting on the toilet (known as the “squatty potty” position) can make a huge difference in reducing strain and improving bowel emptying.

4. Managing Haemorrhoid Flare-ups

Use cold compresses or witch hazel pads to ease discomfort
Avoid prolonged sitting or standing — gentle walking and lying down help reduce pressure
In some cases, over-the-counter creams or medications may help — check with your GP or pharmacist first, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding

5. Skin Tag Support

If leftover skin tags are causing physical or emotional discomfort:

A pelvic health physio can provide reassurance and education
In some cases, if they're persistently bothersome, you can discuss removal with your GP or a specialist — but this is usually a cosmetic procedure

If you’re experiencing pain, bleeding, or bulging around the anus, or you’re not sure what’s normal, it’s always worth getting checked. Pelvic health physios can assess and guide you in a supportive, discreet environment — no topic is too awkward or too small.

Haemorrhoids and skin tags are incredibly common after pregnancy and birth, but that doesn’t mean you have to “just put up with it.” With the right support, you can feel more comfortable and confident again.

If you’d like to chat more about your symptoms or see how pelvic health physiotherapy might help, feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.